The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on.

LDS Church News

The LDS Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The publication's content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church.

GILBERT, Ariz. — The scenario for the Gilbert Arizona Temple Cultural Celebration March 1 unfolded much as an epic movie script. With a cast of thousands and titled "True to the Faith," its storyline began in Old Testament times and continued with stories from the Book of Mormon, LDS Church history in Arizona and the present.

"In ancient times, as well as today, God's covenant people are known as 'the children of Abraham,' a narrator proclaimed. "The Lord calls the faithful of all ages to be standard bearers of the truth. Tonight we answer his call and say: We'll be 'True to the Faith,' for we are the children of Abraham."

An unscripted part that added a bit of drama to the program was the weather that affected the outdoor event. This part of Arizona had been without rain for months. That couldn't be said for the evening of the celebration. Leading news reports from mid-week through Saturday led with updates on forecasts for heavy rain. Forecasters were accurate. It rained.

Saturday morning. Skies were cloudy during Saturday afternoon's performance — a dress rehearsal — with just a few sprinkles coming as it ended. However, within an hour before the evening performance a light drizzle began. The drizzle soon turned into a downpour. With just minutes to go before President Thomas S. Monson and others were scheduled to arrive, rain drenched the performers and audience. Then, as he arrived on the podium, the rain slowed to a light drizzle. But that didn't last. Much of the performance took place during heavy rain. That presented potential problems since the venue in Discovery Park near the temple serves as a retention basin. An inch of rain there quickly can turn into pools of water. By the time the program ended, water was standing in many parts of the venue.

In offering the invocation, Gilbert Arizona San Tan Stake President Roland B. Derrick noted that people in the area had been praying for rain and expressed gratitude for the moisture.

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.

President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.

He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.

President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.

The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."

"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.

"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Gerry Avant is editor of the LDS Church News. In addition to her editing duties, she has gone on assignments throughout the United States and to countries. She has won state and regional awards for photography.
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